CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- Private higher education institutions (HEIs) in Central Luzon are among the highest in terms of increase in tuition and other school fees this coming school year.
This as the Commission on Higher Education (Ched) approved the applications of 313 HEIs for increase for School Year 2015-2016.
Ched approved an average tuition increase of P32.34 for the National Capital Region while the average increase in Central Luzon is at P35.60, and P37.36 in Calabarzon.
Though Ched did not post the names of schools who are set to increase their tuition and other fees this year, the three regions with the most number of learning institutions however led the rankings in terms of increase in other school fees. Central Luzon posted the highest increase with P556.13, followed by Calabarzon at P501.67 and the National Capital Region with P34.79.
Ched said that across all regions the average percent increase is 6.48 percent. Some 283 HEIs or 16 percent of total private HEIs will increase tuition fees while 212 or 12.60 percent will increase other school fees.
For tuition, there is an average increase of 6.17 percent or the equivalent of P29.86 per unit while for other school fees the increase is 6.55 percent or the equivalent of P135.60. These figures are down from last year’s P35.66 or 8.13 percent for tuition and P141.55 or 7.97 percent for other school fees.
"Ched’s approach to the issue of tuition is wholistic. In the light of contending concerns and interests in society, there is need to balance access issues with sustainability of educational institutions. For its part, Ched ensures that HEIs meet the guidelines provided by law, especially the requirement of consultation, the allocation of tuition fees, and strict adherence with the processes that seek to make tuition and other school fee increases transparent, reasonable and affordable," Ched said in a statement.
There were no approved increases in Yolanda-affected Eastern Visayas.